One of the best things about working from home is just that – working from home. It gives one a huge amount of freedom and flexibility, and allows us to work around our family to ensure that we can really achieve that “work / life balance” that people these days so desperately strive to achieve.

However, working from home can also get a little bit lonely at times. At least, it can for me. Whilst I am generally very busy on my work days, I am also a very social person, and I do sometimes miss the social environment that is readily available if you work outside the home. I find that I use my online networks to fill this social void for me, but this can often result in a lot of time not being used quite as effectively as it should be.

This week, I found myself working for a new client, and it involved me having to work offsite for 2 days, assisting with a few seminars that my client was running. What a lovely change it was! I met literally hundreds of people, and had an opportunity to talk to so many of them. I had a blast! The work was rewarding, the client lovely, and the chance to get out of the house and ’socialise’ whilst working was a really welcome change for me.

Whilst I wouldn’t change my job or my working conditions for the world, I think it’s important to ensure that as a ‘virtual’ worker, I don’t put myself into a pocket that means I only work inside my home. Sometimes it is really rewarding to be able to do something a little different, and it gives our clients confidence in our ability to be flexible enough to meet their occasional ‘non-virtual’ needs.

It may not be for everyone, and I know that some people specifically do not offer their services if it means travelling to a clients’ location, however for me, I think it was something I needed to re-invigorate me and shake up my routine a little bit. It is also very empowering to know that even though I have chosen to work from home to allow me the flexibilty to always be in a position to support the needs of my family, that I also still have a viable and important place out in the face-to-face world.